Dr Anand Kumar Maurya (Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology) and Dr Jitendra Singh (Assistant Professor, Department of Translational Medicine) of AIIMS Bhopal, presented their research at the 20th International Congress on Infectious Diseases (ICID) 2024, organized by the International Society of Infectious Diseases (USA), held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Dr Anand Kumar Maurya presented his research titled, "Clinical and Microbiological Insight into Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria: A Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in Central India."

His research highlighted the significant presence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) among patients initially presumed to have tuberculosis (TB), emphasizing the importance of differential diagnosis in clinical settings.

In addition, Dr Jitendra Singh presented his paper on "Evolutionary Pathways of Omicron: A Genomic Surveillance Study from Central India." This groundbreaking genomic surveillance study conducted by the team at AIIMS Bhopal offered critical insights into the evolution of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

The study highlighted the variant's transmission dynamics, mutations, and potential implications for public health.

Prof. Singh expressed his pride and support for the faculty members, saying, "The participation of Dr Maurya and Dr. Singh at the 20th ICID 2024 highlights AIIMS Bhopal's commitment to advance global knowledge in infectious diseases.

Their groundbreaking research not only contributes to the scientific community but also underscores the importance of integrating innovative diagnostic and genomic surveillance techniques into clinical practice." The esteemed event brought together over 2,500 infectious disease experts and covered a broad spectrum of topics, extending beyond clinical microbiology and communicable diseases to include all aspects of infections within the One Health framework.